Menendez denies he was with Dominican prostitutes

Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Menendez's office says he traveled on a plane owned by a Florida physician who is a friend and political donor, but denied that the senator had engaged with prostitutes in the Dominican Republic. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Robert Menendez’s office says he traveled on a plane owned by a Florida physician who is a friend and political donor, but denied that the senator had engaged with prostitutes in the Dominican Republic.

The New Jersey Democrat’s office issued the denial Wednesday. It said he traveled on three occasions on Dr. Salomon Melgen’s airplane. The FBI searched Melgen’s West Palm Beach, Fla., office Tuesday night and early Wednesday, but it was unclear if the raid was related to Menendez. Menendez’s office said the trips were “paid for and reported appropriately.”

The Daily Caller, a conservative website, reported shortly before the election that Menendez traveled on Melgen’s private plane to the Dominican Republic to engage in sex with prostitutes. The FBI has refused to comment on whether Menendez is under investigation.